1.2 Roadway Context/Design Philosophy

The landscape design aesthetic of the roadway works hand in hand with the perceived density, scale, and complexity of the roadway contexts. The appropriate design response for each context recognizes the role color, form, and massing play to preserve views and sight lines and to enhance safety.
The five context classifications shown in
Figure 1-1
are discussed in greater detail in TxDOT’s
Roadway Design Manual
(RDM). The following descriptions provide a landscape design response to each context.
TxDOT’s Context Classification System

1.2.1 Rural Town Context

These are areas with low development density but diverse land uses with commercial main street character, potential for on-street parking and sidewalks, and small setbacks. This is a transition zone, with density changes signaling an increase in vehicular activity and landscape complexity, usually found at community and town entries. A visual transition also occurs due to the smaller setbacks, bringing the focus inward to the community.
Since travel speed and setback distance have lessened, less dramatic color and form contrast may be used to achieve the desired results as shown in
Figure 1-2
. To create effective design features with the rural town context, landscape strategies should reinforce the transition edge, while focusing the driver’s attention on increased activity:
  • Colors should draw attention to key views;
  • Form and texture changes effectively identify community entrances; and
  • Plant material massing may be used to enhance specific views and to screen others.
Rural Town Context
Figure 1-2: Rural Town Context

1.2.2 Rural Context

These are areas with the lowest development density, few houses or structures, and usually large setbacks. The extent and expansive view of the natural landscape is dominant and takes precedence over the perceived scale of the highway as shown in
Figure 1-3
. Since speeds are higher, the forms, colors, and textures tend to blur. To draw attention to design features along rural roads, the designer must provide a dramatic contrast:
  • Utilize colors that contrast with the background, creating the greatest impact;
  • Implement forms that break the horizon line/tree line, drawing visual interest; and
  • Plant material massing and density to reinforce view sight lines.
Rural Context
Figure 1-3: Rural Context

1.2.3 Suburban Context

These are areas with medium development density, mixed land uses within and among structures, and varied setbacks. This is a moderately active zone, with residential and commercial development, multiple lanes with or without medians, and an increasingly complex built environment as shown in
Figure 1-4
. The design philosophy combines elements of rural and urban contexts:
  • Consistent use of color changes in planting and building materials creates community identity and connectivity;
  • Form and surface texture changes should be bold for visibility; and
  • Plant material massing, especially within medians and at entries, should allow a clear, unobstructed view.
Suburban Context
Figure 1-4: Suburban Context

1.2.4 Urban Context

These are areas with high density development, mixed land uses and prominent destinations, potential for some on-street parking and sidewalks, high levels of pedestrian and bike activity, and mixed building setbacks as shown in
Figure 1-5
. This is an active zone, with signage, driveways, and entries competing for attention. The design must create navigable and safe corridors for pedestrians and cyclists, while maintaining sight lines and minimizing driver distractions:
  • Use plant material massing to control sequences of views and to screen undesirable views; and
  • Forms may be used to reduce noise and light spill from roadways.
Urban Context
Figure 1-5: Urban Context

1.2.5 Urban Core Context

These are areas with the highest development density, mixed land uses within and among predominately high-rise structures, and limited setbacks as shown in
Figure 1-6
. This is the most active zone, with vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic accommodated within the right of way (ROW). Additional layers of social, historical, and cultural landmarks may need to be factored into design decisions. Visual complexity should be minimized, and clear sight lines maintained:
  • Color choices and material textures should relate to the surrounding structures; and
  • Plant material often provides the ‘green relief’ in these areas. Maintain the upper canopy and ground plane massing, leaving views clear in the middle zone.
Urban Core Context
Figure 1-6: Urban Core Context
Regarding discussion throughout the remainder of the manual, references to “rural” include Rural Town and Rural contexts. References to “urban” include Suburban, Urban and Urban Core contexts.